Cessna 172 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.

6810

All Events

4223

Incidents

1048

Minor

542

Serious

960

Fatal (1802 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
May 22, 1992 ST FRANCIS, ME N739GM Serious (1) destroyed FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. THE WIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
May 16, 1992 CALDWELL, NJ N54860 Serious (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IFR OPERATION. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME.
May 01, 1992 AMELIA, VA N20209 Serious (2) destroyed
THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE THAT RESULTED IN AN LANDING OVERRUN AND COLLISION WITH AN EMBANKMENT. CONTRIBUTING WAS FAILURE TO I…

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE THAT RESULTED IN AN LANDING OVERRUN AND COLLISION WITH AN EMBANKMENT. CONTRIBUTING WAS FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO AROUND AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION.

Apr 26, 1992 CEDAR KEY, FL N9888B Serious (2) substantial
IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE …

IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSSWIND.

Apr 18, 1992 BLAINE HILL, PA N172DG Serious (1) destroyed A LEAKING FUEL LINE WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS AND INFLIGHT FIRE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROLLING TERRAIN.
Apr 05, 1992 CLAREMONT, CA N1333E Serious (2) substantial
THE PILOTS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS, HIS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE TIMELY REMEDI…

THE PILOTS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS, HIS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE TIMELY REMEDIAL ACTIONS.

Mar 16, 1992 YUCAPIA, CA N5417T Serious (2) substantial
THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER MOST LIKELY RELATED TO THE POOR QUALITY OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN F…

THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER MOST LIKELY RELATED TO THE POOR QUALITY OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

Dec 28, 1991 MELBOURNE, FL N9718B Serious (1) substantial
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE DEMONSTRATING A POWER OFF APPROACH TO THE STUDENT AND HIS IMPROPER RETRACT…

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE DEMONSTRATING A POWER OFF APPROACH TO THE STUDENT AND HIS IMPROPER RETRACTION OF THE WING FLAPS DURING GO AROUND FROM THE APPROACH RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE GROUND.

Dec 11, 1991 CARLYLE, IL N8316X Serious (1) substantial FUEL CONTAMINATION AND BLOCKAGE OF THE CARBURETOR, WHICH RESTULED IN FUEL STARVATION. THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) WERE A RELATED FACTOR.
Nov 23, 1991 MARQUETTE, MI N96147 Serious (1) destroyed
FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN AIRFRAME (WING) ICING AND THE INABILITY TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE ADVERS…

FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN AIRFRAME (WING) ICING AND THE INABILITY TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND DARKNESS WERE RELATED FACTORS.

Nov 17, 1991 HOWELL, MI N73475 Serious (1) substantial PROPER GLIDEPATH WAS NOT MAINTAINED RESULTING IN AN UNDERSHOOT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS DARK NIGHT FLYING CONDITIONS.
Oct 31, 1991 ZION, IL N5411K Serious (1) destroyed
WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND OBSTRUCTION…

WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES & TRANSMISSION LINES) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

Sep 29, 1991 GRAYSON, KY N10PT Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND.
Sep 29, 1991 NEWBERRY, SC N2862E Serious (2) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VISUAL LOOKOUT AND CLEARANCE WHILE MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE.
Sep 11, 1991 HESPERIA, CA N97564 Serious (3) substantial
A STUCK EXHAUST VALVE DUE TO THE OPERATOR'S NON COMPLIANCE WITH A MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE ENGINE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCID…

A STUCK EXHAUST VALVE DUE TO THE OPERATOR'S NON COMPLIANCE WITH A MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE ENGINE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A SAFE LANDING.

Sep 08, 1991 BULLHEAD CITY, AZ N7031G Serious (2) destroyed
1) A SHORT CIRCUIT, 2) ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD WHICH IGNITED THE CABIN INTERIOR, 3) INADEQUATE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION, AND 4) INSUFFICIENT ELECTRIC…

1) A SHORT CIRCUIT, 2) ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD WHICH IGNITED THE CABIN INTERIOR, 3) INADEQUATE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION, AND 4) INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN STANDARDS.

Jul 24, 1991 PHILLIPS, ME N85HC Serious (3) destroyed
AN INADVERTENT STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE WING FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PI…

AN INADVERTENT STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE WING FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S MISUNDERSTANDING OF AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE, AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TAKEOFF UPHILL.

Jul 19, 1991 CHICO, CA N6387E Serious (1) destroyed THE PILOT'S IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURE.
Jun 29, 1991 GROVELAND, FL N46305 Serious (1) substantial FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED RESULTING IN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH.
Apr 16, 1991 COEUR D'ALENE, ID CFBET Serious (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB CAPABILITY WHEN FLYING TOWARDS RISING TERRAIN. FACTORS INCLUDE HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOG…

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB CAPABILITY WHEN FLYING TOWARDS RISING TERRAIN. FACTORS INCLUDE HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

Apr 10, 1991 GRIFFITH, IN N1375F Serious (1) substantial CONTAMINATED FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR, AND INADEQUATE INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Mar 30, 1991 BAR HARBOR, ME N2899E Serious (1) substantial THE ENGINE LOST POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.
Feb 17, 1991 BULLHEAD CITY, CA N8551B Serious (2) substantial
THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION AND PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT FROM FATIGUE; HE ALSO FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. THE LINEMAN'S FAILURE …

THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION AND PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT FROM FATIGUE; HE ALSO FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. THE LINEMAN'S FAILURE TO SECURE THE ACCESS DOOR AND THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Jan 22, 1991 SACRAMENTO, CA N96306 Serious (1) destroyed THE FLIGHT'S INADVERTANT ENCOUNTER WITH WAKE TURBULENCE.
Dec 12, 1990 JACKSONVILLE, FL N5780R Serious (2) destroyed FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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